Maitland Approves Annexation For Hotel Project

June 14, 1985|By Jonathan Susskind of The Sentinel Staff

MAITLAND — Over objections by one city council member who did not want another hotel in Maitland, the council has approved annexation, zoning and a development contract that would allow a hotel on 18 1/2 acres on Keller Road.

The land, formerly owned by Clyde and Elmira Ricketson, has been bought by Harbert Properties Inc., a private development company from Birmingham, Ala.

Harbert president Lewis M. Stewart Jr. said the firm wants to build offices and perhaps retail stores and a hotel on the land, which reportedly was bought for more than $3 million. He said Harbert has invested more than $1.5 million in the land, paying half of the purchase price in cash. The balance is to be paid in a mortgage held by the Ricketsons, he said.

Council member Jim Ciaravino said at Monday night's meeting he does not want another hotel in Maitland because hotels strain police and fire departments with frequent calls about unruly guests, thefts and fire alarms.

Stewart said Harbert has not decided whether to build a hotel at the southwest corner of Keller Road and Pembrook Drive. Development of is at least 18 months away, to be timed with the extension of Maitland Boulevard north of the property.

The land can be annexed because the Ricketsons' request for incorporation was made before the city council imposed a ban on annexation and other development petitions in March.

The Ricketsons' requests have been delayed for more than six months while Maitland officials and Harbert worked out a developer's agreement. The agreement sets out limits and requirements for the project, such as land uses, building sizes and Harbert's promise to pave half of Keller Road. The road eventually will be widened from two to five lanes.

Mayor E.X. Blaschka said he did not like the fact that because the Ricketsons hold the mortgage on the land, they could foreclose on it and nullify the developer's agreement.

The city still would have control over the property through zoning, site- plan review and other regulations.

The council voted unanimously to annex the land and grant the zoning Harbert wanted. Ciaravino voted against the developer's agreement because of a clause allowing a hotel.

Stewart said Harbert Properties -- a private firm with assets of about $400 million -- is developing the Maitland Green office building on Lake Destiny Road just north of Eatonville. The United States Insurance Group will occupy that building this fall, he said.